Lana Parrilla's Regina, who is now known as Roni, may get a new love interest when "Once Upon a Time" season 7 returns next year.
Regina had been robbed of a future with two men: the stable boy Daniel (Noah Bean) from the first two seasons and Robin Hood (Sean MaGuire) from the subsequent ones. As recalled, both relationships ended tragically with the former killed by her mother Cora (Barbara Hershey) and the latter sacrificing himself to Hades (Greg Germann).
Dating has since been at the bottom of her priority least, especially during the first half of the rebooted seventh season wherein she was busy awakening from her latest cursed persona. However, series creators Eddy Kitsis and Adam Horowitz confirmed to TV Line that the one-time Evil Queen-turned-stereotypical bartender will have another chance at love soon.
"There is absolutely going to be some romance in Regina's life in the second half of the season," Kitsis said. They noted there has a lot going on for her in the world of Hyperion Heights. Per Horowitz, "As Gothel's plan intensifies and the spectre of the coven looms, the stakes are raised. But that doesn't mean there isn't room for romance."
Although she has gone through a lot of tragedies over the years, he said Parrilla's character has been nothing if not resilient. "And when her heart is stirred, she decides to explore what that means and to see what possibilities lie out there for her."
Of course, the addition of a new love interest is not to diminish her past loves. They made it clear that her true love, Robin Hood, and her first love, Daniel, will forever be a part of Regina; she just knows she owes it to herself to see if she could love again. She has to move forward, and if anything, that is probably what both men want for her.
Parrilla already expressed her hope for Regina's new love interest a few months ago. It is fortunate that she and showrunners have a similar creative direction for her character. Unfortunately, both Kitsis and Horowitz are careful not to spoil any specifics as to who the mystery character is. They did tease "it's an interesting relationship" and they are excited for the viewers to see it.
"Once Upon a Time" season 7 continues on Friday, March 2, with episode 11 titled "Secret Garden."
